Clemson Honors student Helen Bailey named Udall Scholar

Clemson student Helen Bailey is one of only 55 Udall Scholars across the country identified as future leaders in environmental, Tribal public policy and health care fields.

Bailey, an Honors student and environmental and natural resources major, will receive $7,000 towards her academic expenses and will take part in a scholarship orientation event in August, where she will connect with other scholars and program alumni while tackling a challenging case study.

We’re excited for Helen’s achievement and proud of her work to drive transformational change in the field of environmental conservation. Her success serves as a powerful example of the impact our students can make when they apply their passion, knowledge and research to real-world problems, with the support of a campus community that supports their growth and development.

SARAH WINSLOW, INAUGURAL DEAN, CLEMSON UNIVERSITY HONORS COLLEGE

Part of her identity

Bailey learned to hunt and fish from a very early age, completing her first hunter’s safety course at the age of eight. Her family lived on a Christmas tree farm near Mechanicsville, Maryland, a small community known for its agriculture.

Bailey’s father was an officer for the state’s Department of Natural Resources. As a result, she grew up crabbing, fishing and hunting.

She said her love of the outdoors stems from those experiences with her family.

She regularly participated in and contributed to events with the National Wild Turkey Federation, Ducks Unlimited and the Knights of Columbus.

As she got older, those experiences also inspired Bailey to start advocating for conservation, which she sees as critical to environmental management and natural resource protection.

Those efforts began in high school, when she publicly spoke to the Maryland Senate in support of a bill to allow Sunday hunting for waterfowl and game birds in St. Mary’s County on private and select public lands.

Soon after arriving at Clemson, Bailey joined several student organizations that raise money for conservation research. She quickly noticed an opportunity to create a group focused on public policy and to engage more people in finding solutions.

“As I got older, I saw how few women were involved in ethical hunting and fishing and that I was often the only woman at an event,” said Bailey. “I took that as an opportunity to spread awareness of my favorite traditions and encourage others to get involved.”

With that in mind, Bailey created a new chapter of the Collegiate Sportsmen and Women Coalition of the Congressional Sportsmen Foundation. It’s now one of the country’s largest and most active. Bailey also leads the only student-led, collegiate chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) in South Carolina.

Bailey was recognized for her efforts with the 2023 NWTF Doctor James Earl Kennamer Scholarship, a $10,000 award given nationally to the most outstanding student member for her exceptional academic achievement, community involvement and leadership roles.  

Robyn Curtis, director of Clemson’s Office of Major Fellowships, said that Bailey’s passion for getting as many people as possible excited about engaging in conservation is infectious. 

“Helen is a tenacious and resilient student who is already being invited into conservation circles at the national level,” said Curtis. “Change agents like Helen, who can make progress on protecting wildlife and natural resources by reframing traditional pursuits and approaches, are desperately needed.”

David Willis, a professor of agricultural sciences, is directing Bailey’s Honors research project, which addresses water scarcity in South Carolina. He said she’s an enthusiastic researcher with great potential.

“Helen is an outstanding student and strong believer in the efficient and sustainable management of our increasingly valuable natural resources,” said Willis. “She is a very worthy recipient of the Udall Scholarship.”

In addition to her conservation work, Bailey has also interned with South Carolina Representative Jeff Duncan and the St. Mary’s County State’s Attorney, worked as the assistant general manager of the Southern Maryland Senators (a summer collegiate baseball team in the Cal Ripken League), and played on Clemson’s club softball team.

Future plans

After she graduates, Bailey plans to go to law school before starting a career as an attorney for the federal public service, focusing on environmental conservation.

“Throughout my career, I want to address the lack of understanding that ethical hunting is vital to the success of conservation efforts,” said Bailey. “I hope to contribute to initiatives educating and promoting the practice of ethical hunting in conservation and its effects on all citizens and the environment.”

Bailey is Clemson’s fourth Udall Scholar. Previous recipients include Carson Colenbaugh (2021), Riley Garvey (2020) and William Rice (2015).

Students interested in applying for the Udall Scholarship or other major fellowships should contact the Office of Major Fellowships at 864-656-9704 or fellowships@clemson.edu.